Giro delle Regione, April-1 25 May

The Soviets are beaten!

The Soviets are the big favorites of this Giro delle Regione, one of the most important races amateurs in Italy. Pavel Tonkov dominates the test, but cracks finally the last day.

As of the prologue, team-time-trial, Pavel seizes the jersey of leader. He loses it at the end of the arrival of the first stage, which is concluded with the sprint, but he recovers it as of the second stage, in Rieti, thanks to an attack in mountain and using his team-mate Aleksander Shefer, victorious of the stage. But with the passing days, Pavel Tonkov was shown less imperial. He defends well its shirt in time-trial of 32 km Monteroni of d'Arbia, but loses close of 2' to the general classification the last day, then that the victory was promised to him. He finishes finally 3th and better young.

 

Race of Peace, May 1990

Tonkov is wheeler-climber

Among amateurs, the speciality of Tonkov remains the time-trial. On this Race of the Peace, of which he is one of the big favorites at 21 years, he shows however that he is also the best climber amateur of the East.

Whereas very popular Jan Svorada gains the first three stages, the Germans of the East are very content with the scenario of the fourth stage. An escape of 26 runners develops and Pavel Tonkov is not inside. All roll to block so that the Soviets waste the most possible time. Tonkov does not react. With the arrival, he has more than 10 minutes of delay. Pavel is interested more at the sixth stage, a time-trial in coast of 17 km in Slusovice, with... 400m with 30%!!! And the descent is even more terrible! With the arrival, Tonkov wins with 2" in advance on Jan Svorada, which seizes the shirt of leader. This victory is not enough to fill Pavel. In 8th stage, with 4 pass with the program, he leaves into escaped with the Pole Jacek Bodyk, who succeeds in preceding it on the line. With the arrival, Pavel finishes 24th, but better climber of the prove.

Milk Race, May 27 at June 9

Tonkov sheriff of Nottingham

On this Milk Race 1990, the greatest race amateur in Great Britain, Pavel carries out a beautiful escape in Nottingham, which finished in the most total confusion.

With the general classification, the Soviets are far from the first places on this Milk Race. Pavel, for his part, is relegated to more 5' at the beginning of 6th stage. It is true that England has very few mountains, and that that does not help it much. At the time of this sixth stage which disputes under a rain beating between Coventry and Nottigham, on 94 miles, Pavel attacks in the coast of Tilton, after 40 miles of race. His advance increases quickly and the victory of stage is promised to him. But after having carried out the 5 turns of the final circuit, the spectators do not applaud his victory, and like the bell did not sound the last turn (stealed by Robin of Wood???), Tonkov, become for one day the unpopular sheriff of Nottingham, grows that there remains still a turn to be achieved! And he continues his effort! Once caught up with, he is declared victorious with 53" in advance on the Lesniewski Pole. The continuation of the stages, more punts, is not appropriate to him, and he finishes the prove 12th.

Championship of the world amateur, September 2, Utsunomiya

Tonkov discharged of the national team!!!

Incredible!!! Because the Soviet team is in completly defeat, and that Pavel gave up, he is excluded from the national team under the reason for rebellion towards his leaders!

Pavel Tonkov is the best runner Soviet amateur. For proof, he gained the title of national champion. At 21 years, with a very impressive prize list already, he has all the future in front of him. But certain Western observers think that he is not justified already any more to run to the amateurs. Is this also the opinion of his Soviet leaders? In Utsonomiya, under the rain, the defeat of the USSR is total. Against the opinion of his sporting director, Pavel gives up after having carried out a long escape. His sporting director is furious: he shows it not to be a true cyclist racing! Pavel revolts against this charge and he is excluded from the national selection!!! "I almost decided to withdraw me competition. I am turned over to Ishevsk, and I started to work with my father, workman metallurgical. Moreover, I engaged in the Red Army. I obtained the rank of lieutenant thanks to my sporting merits".